Violators will be subject to up to one year in a county jail and up to a $1,000 fine. There are a number of exemptions, however, such as using long guns in public hunting and transporting them.

Portantino said, “Last year, we tried to craft a narrow bill to close a loophole in the hopes that gun enthusiasts would support ending this dangerous practice.” Yeah, gun owners, cut it out! What’s wrong with you? Don’t you realize that other people don’t like it when you exercise your Second Amendment right?

Evidently, Californians weren’t just willing to roll over and take it. As Portantino explains, “Unfortunately, the ‘open carry’ folks reacted by carrying rifles and other long guns, alarming the public and creating a potentially dangerous situation. As law enforcement officials tell us, it not only creates a tense situation, but wastes time and money when police have to roll out and respond to these unnecessary calls.”

Gun owners would probably agree that sending out police to investigate citizens who aren’t breaking any laws is most definitely a waste in resources. Wouldn’t the easier solution be to stop sending out police to investigate people who were doing squat-diddly, rather than making squat-diddly illegal?